'Jack and the Beanstalk' this weekend at Hudson Theatre Ensemble's Silly on Sixth children’s series

Fee fi fo fum, “Jack and the Beanstalk” is coming to Hoboken as part of the Hudson Theatre Ensemble’s (HTE) children’s series Silly on Sixth.

While the children’s classic is often one of the scarier kids stories with its bone-crushing, Englishman-eating giant, artistic director Florence Pape said there’s nothing but fun to be found in this version of the fairy tale, written by Chris Stiles.

“We felt this was very child-friendly. We have a very charming Jack played by Gregory Nye, who is absolutely engaging; we have a little bit of music and singing; and it’s just a sweet story,” said Pape.

Kids ages 3 to 10 can ooh and ahh at a beautiful beanstalk heading into the giant’s castle and a larger-than-life music box with 14-year-old ballerina and Stevens Cooperative School student Grace Raterman, who also attends the Garden Street School of the Performing Arts in Hoboken.

Children (and their parents) will also get to join in on the fun. In the show, directed by Howard Richman, the giant is played by the entire audience, which HTE hopes will be a foot-stomping, rip-roaring bunch.

“Our ogre is supposed to be 64 feet tall, but we couldn’t find an actor who was 63 feet tall, so we figured that the theater holds 75 people, together they might make 63 feet,” said Pape with a laugh.

Overall, Pape said the show will teach kids about core values.

“Love is what family is,” she said plainly. “What really makes the world go round is a family’s love and the everyday things you do together. Families can solve all sorts of crises and dilemmas, even if they’re dealing with a 63-foot giant.”

In the company’s 13 years in the Mile Square City, Pape said helping families bond has been incredibly important to the cast and crew.

“We hope to give children and their families a combination of lots of silliness and some important values like love and cooperation as well,” she said. “For many families, this is their children’s first exposure to live theater. It’s hard work, but the rewards really keep us going.”

“Jack and the Beanstalk” runs on June 1, 2 and 9 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Hudson School Performance Space, 601 Park Ave., Hoboken. Tickets are $10, $7 for kids. For more information, email reservations@HudsonTheatreEnsemble.com or call (201) 377-7014.